Fort Barton Woods
Fort Barton Woods is part of a public park at Lawton and Highland Avenues in Tiverton, RI. There is a tower to climb with a beautiful view of the Sakonnet River.
The actual fort was active during the Revolutionary War, overlooking the main ferry crossing between Tiverton and Aquidneck Island. Not much of the original fort remains, but it’s fun to imagine what life would have been like back in the late 1700′s.
In the woods, there are a couple of easy going trail loops to choose from. They’re perfect for kids, dogs, or just a leisurely stroll.
I’ve noticed we tend to come hiking here on mild winter days in February/March - those times of year when you are growing desperate for some fresh air. Sometimes there’s even still snow on the ground, which makes it extra fun/slippery.
Once, we tried a little adventure where the boys went one way and the girls went another. Willa and I ended up going a much longer route and Huxley was worried they had lost us forever. But we had a blast!
We like to pack a picnic lunch and eat on one of the wooden bridges that cross Sin and Flesh Brook (yes, that’s really its name).
In the two sets of pictures in this post, my kids are a year apart in age. It’s crazy to me how much different they look. Reminds me to keep documenting these moments so I can look back on fun times, but more importantly, to really live them when they are happening.
One more tip - once you get deeper into the woods, you can often hear gun shots. While this can be unsettling, it is just the Tiverton Rod and Gun Club, and not someone actually hunting nearby!
